The Third Ethiopian Millennium is in the last third of a double digit countdown. With less than a month to M-Day, what new millennium resolutions are you mulling in your mind? Is there such a thing as a national resolve? Society raises and discusses this timely topic. Enjoy.

A Million Resolutions!

In the three faith groups that make up the People of the Book, the calendars of the Jews, Christians and Muslims attach immense significance to the dawn of a new year. I’m sure this holds true for all religions, it’s just that since Ethiopians belong exclusively to one of the three Mosaic faiths, making the explanation of our main theme of ushering in a new year.
The renewal of positive behavior, relationships and of promises yet to be kept, as well as declarations of resolve for a better year feature prominently when a new year approaches. Making new year’s resolutions is not the frivolous and superficial thing it was when one was a teenager or for that matter a young adult.
We had at various times in childhood been caught up with making new year’s resolutions along with the older folk, all the time knowing that we didn’t have to honor them. After all, most of the resolutions were about doing something instead of the opposite.
The thing is, new year’s resolutions during adulthood are mostly ‘will nots’ instead of ‘will dos’. The most common ones involve social ‘vices’ such as tobacco use, drinking and of course promiscuous behavior. Rare is the smoker who has not at least once, declared to quit the cancer stick cold turkey come New Year’s Day. Precious few stay on the wagon and even fewer reform their sexual behavior. I am of the categorical opinion that new year’s resolutions do not work well at the personal level and are more of a societal exercise.
Next September 10 is the threshold of a super new year as far as Ethiopia is concerned. It is probably the best time ever for national resolutions. What would a ‘We the people of Ethiopia resolve to’ list contain? Following are my Top 10 National Resolutions.

1. We resolve to work toward genuine national reconciliation in regard to ethnicity, politics, religious tolerance and social harmony.
2. We resolve to work towards food self sufficiency.
3. We resolve to maintain our national unity.
4. We dedicate ourselves to the common good.
5. We commit ourselves to eradicating HIV/AIDS.
6. We will never invade others or allow ourselves to be invaded.
7. We will defeat terrorism.
8. We will be morally upright.
9. We will not be bigots.
10. We shall honor our word.

What are your new millennium resolutions?

Resolutions to improve ones character are all very well. However, I don’t see how they relate to major holidays and particularly to New Year’s. This is because making important and even life challenging decisions don’t need the excuse of a red letter day.

Thomas, Chef

The best national new Millennium resolution is already practical. This is the successful ‘two trees for the new Millennium – 450,000,000 have been planted, no small amount. Now, we should resolve to husband these trees so that they will be our legacy for coming generations.

K.C, Student

My resolutions for the new millennium is to completely detach myself from politics. I now know only too well the old saying ‘Politics is dirty business’ after last year’s (if I may say) terrible feeling of virtually living in a state of suspension. Some call it living fully, I call it living in deferral, postponement. So my resolution, live every day happy and forget about what happens to the nation or the world for that matter!

Temegnech, Housewife

My usual resolutions are no more chat, cigarettes and mean stuff to my parents. But for the millennium, I will be truthful to myself and say that I will do away with the chat, keep the cigarette. As for my relationship with others, I believe it is high time we do this collectively; I mean working towards a better Ethiopia, less poor, less sick and depressing. I will endeavor to help in whatever means I have, starting with my community.

Estifanos, IT student